Review of Viewsonic VG191 LCD Panel
By Dave Graham
Date: May 22, 2002
In this review, Dave performs a set of tests to look at the following characteristics of his Viewsonic VG191 LCD panel monitor, the amount of dead pixels to measure of panel quality, image quality during DVD playback, image quality during intensive gaming, image quality for every-day use, and verification of angle of view ability. Dave lists each monitor characteristic and then provides a detailed list of instructions on how he tested each characteristic. Results for each test follow the testing steps.
===================================
Monitor Specifications
True 19” viewable SXGA (1280x1024) TFT active matrix LCD panel monitor
.294mm dot pitch
Claimed 170 degree viewing in both horizontal and vertical viewing planes
Native resolution of 1280x1024
500:1 contrast ratio
250 nits brightness
Color correction and intuitive menu system (On-view)
Plug-n-play capable
DVI-I and Analog inputs
Ability to view in portrait as well as landscape mode (via hardware movement and software interpolation)
Cost (new): $975.00
===================================
Testing Methodology
Since I don’t have a “hardware lab,” I conducted tests based on the tools I easily could use. I tested the screen based on the following 5 criteria:
The amount of dead pixels: measure of panel quality
Image quality during DVD playback
Image quality during intensive gaming
Image quality for every-day use
Verification of angle of viewability
===================================
Graphics Hardware And Settings
All testing was done on my personal PC which has the following
Leadtek Geoforce2 Pro video card with Analog VGA out (only) and 64mb of DDR Ram
Software was set to the native resolution and refresh rate of the panel: 1280x1024 @ 60hz
Color was set to 32-bit via the “Settings” tab of Display properties.
The LCD panel was set for 100% contrast and 75% brightness
The operating system was Windows XP Pro.
===================================
Test For “Dead” Pixels
These are the steps I followed
Since most dead pixels show up as white “dots”, I set the screen-saver option to “blank” screen to provide a “black canvas” in which to view the dead pixels.
I clicked on “Preview” to force Windows XP Pro to run the screensaver.
I counted the “white dots” that appeared.
Results
Try as I might, I could only find 2 dead pixels. One was in the upper left hand corner of the panel, about 3 inches from the top and side. The other dead pixel was on the right hand side about 6 inches from the bottom and approximately 2.5 inches in…On a panel this size, that is an INCREDIBLY small amount of dead pixels and Viewsonic should be commended for it!
===================================
Test For Image Quality During DVD Playback
These are the steps I followed
Closed all open applications and any un-needed processes via the Task Manager
Loaded the Shrek DVD (widescreen) and used the Leadtek WinDVD program to play the “Matrix” fighting screen…This screen makes use of “bullet-time” camera movements and actually does a quick rotation of the scene.
Observed the image quality by viewing the scene 3 times.
Results
The “bullet-time” sequence in Shrek is a good test of how fast a LCD panel and video card can work together to draw the scene. There was evidence of ghosting and trailing (trailing being where a static or moving object within a scene or game develops a motion “trail”) but it was minimal at best. Colors were decently saturated though there was evidence that it wasn’t displaying true 32 bit color. For example, the color black was not “true” black and exhibited some lightening.
Due to the inability of most LCD panels to surpass the 75hz refresh barrier (and the fact that my monitor runs natively at 60hz), some ghosting or trailing will occur especially during intensive movement scenes. This is something that should be rectified in the 6G and 7G generations of LCD monitors but will still require some development time in order to fully penetrate the LCD market. Currently, the strong limitation of LCD monitors in DVD playback is the inability to refresh fast enough. However, despite this limitation, DVD watching is still enjoyable and, due to large area of the screen, refreshingly “in your face.” Combining this panel with a decent 5.1 surround system could easily fit the category of “Small, Personal Cinema.” Note: Since my testing was done using the Analog VGA connector of the panel only, one can assume that there would be a gain in overall image quality when using the DVI connector. I hope to be able to test this in future reviews.
===================================
Test For Image Quality During “Intensive” Gaming
These are the steps I followed
Closed all open applications and any un-needed processes via the Task Manager.
Loaded Serious Sam (first one) and ran the “Alley of the Sphinxes” demo according to the testing methodology found here: http://www.flickerdown.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=66
All settings were kept the same as specified in the aforementioned thread.
The demo was run 3 times.
Results
Due to the inability of most LCD panels to surpass the 75hz refresh barrier (and the fact that my monitor runs natively at 60hz), some ghosting or trailing will occur especially during intensive movement scenes. As stated above in my DVD playback section, this is something that should be rectified in the 6G and 7G generations of LCD monitors. Currently, the strong limitation of LCD monitors in gaming is the inability to refresh fast enough. However, despite this limitation, gaming is still enjoyable and, due to large area of the screen, refreshingly “in your face.” Note: Since my testing was done using the Analog VGA connector of the panel only, one can assume that there would be a gain in overall image quality when using the DVI connector. I hope to be able to test this in future reviews.
===================================
Test For Image Quality During “Everyday Use”
These are the steps I followed
Typed reviews, surfed the internet, etc. during the daytime with windows open using natural lighting
Typed reviews, surfed the internet, etc during the evening with windows open using natural and minimal lamp generated light
Typed reviews, surfed the internet, etc during the wee hours of the morning with no light at all.
Results
During daylight browsing and typing, the screen is very easy to read. The high contrast ratio makes it very easy to read in direct sunlight. Eyestrain is minimal even after 2 hours of extended viewing.
During evening browsing and typing, the monitor’s brightness definitely enables the monitor to be easily read. Glare is non-existent since the screen does not have a “tube” Dust does accumulate but is easy wiped off. Once again, extended viewing (greater than 2 hours) produces minimal eyestrain and headache even with a 60hz refresh rate.
During the “wee hours of the morning” (defined here as being 9pm on…), one can comfortably type and browse the internet in complete darkness with minimal eye strain. However, this screen is BRIGHT and will literally light up the room you’re working in…White background screens can be harsh, but the quality remains.
===================================
Test Viewability
These are the steps I followed
Created a simple word document that contained text ranging from 8pt to 24pt fonts
Clicked on “Print Preview” and selected “Full Screen”
Measured off 10 feet (perpendicular to the monitor) and attempted to read text.
Angled off 45 degrees in either direction and attempted to read text
Angled to at least 170 degrees in either direction and attempted to read text
Set a large picture as the wallpaper for my computer and attempted to view it at greater than 45 degrees.
Results
At 10 feet directly back can read 18pt black text on white background clearly.
At 45 degrees left/right and 10 feet back can read 18 pt black text on white background.
At greater than 45 degrees off axis, can see general contents of screen but not clear text…
When viewing the wallpaper from greater than 45 degrees, some wash-out occurred. The picture had a noticeable whitening to it but the general form and layout was preserved.
===================================
Final Remarks
This panel has been incredible. Not only is it easy to look at for extended periods of time (something my job requires of me) but it can display DVDs with exceptional clarity and I can game with it without much visual interference. The panel is incredibly light (less than 22 pounds) and can be rotated to view webpages or documents in portrait mode. The quality of the panel is immaculate with only 2 dead pixels appearing since the purchase of this monitor over 4 months ago. In analog mode, the panel is clear and bright and one can imagine that some of my ghosting and trailing problems would be solved (somewhat) by a switch to using DVI…This panel represents a great value (as far as LCDs are concerned) because just over a year ago, the same type of panel would have cost in excess of $1500.00. Also, a comparative Sony model (which is only 18”) costs just the same price. Overall, I’ve been impressed with the quality and features of this LCD monitor.
===================================
Pssst! Our Shopping Page has been updated.
===================================